12:28 AM,
Oct. 24, 2013

Oakland's Darryle Hood Jr. (30) and Fred Wade team up to give the Patriots a pair of bruising running backs.

Written by

Maurice Patton
Gannett Tennessee

Blackman and Oakland make no apologies for the fact that their matchup at 7 p.m. today for the District 7-AAA title may not be attractive to those fans who enjoy the spread-it-out, throw-it-every-down offensive approach.

Both squads are built around old-school styles, and it's impossible to argue with the success. Whichever team loses will do so for the first time all year.

"You have to be physical in high school football in order to win at winning time, in the playoffs," Blackman coach Philip Shadowens said. "Anybody who's not that has no chance to win a state championship, at the higher ...